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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
First disclosure: I did not read this book, but heard it as an audio book. I am very glad I did not waste time reading it. This is not really a novel--much more a series of short stories very vaguely intertwined with a highlights of New York history here and there. Rutherfurd's New York is Dutch and English, with the vaguest nods toward other groups. He seems to make a decent effort at dealing with the earliest African Americans, but they disappear entirely by the end of the book. Even Jewish people are barely represented by a single character. More importantly, this is not a serious book about what a city like New York is really about--instead it's just a pastiche of cardboard characters experiencing famous moments in history.
I'd skip it.
I'd skip it.
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Great read! For 850 pgs it was a fairly quick read. I found it interesting that the book was published in 2009 yet the politics, racial divide, the ambition, the spirit the author captures is all the more relevant for today. The summations the author made struck a chord with me...as if he wrote the book to address the problems we face today. The Draft Riot during the Civil War..."they are taking our jobs"....where have we heard that phrase of late!?!
It was an insightful, entertaining beautiful, sad, happy, cover gripping book.
It was an insightful, entertaining beautiful, sad, happy, cover gripping book.
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The writing in this book was elementary at best, but the weaving of actual historical events in New York was really interesting. I just wish the author had spent less time in the 1600s and 1700s and more time in the 19th and 20th centuries.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is long and takes a while to get into, but its really good and gives you a rich history of New York City.